REVIEW: The Mikado, The University of Southampton Light Opera Society, Nuffield Theatre

The origami theme of this production is prevalent throughout: from it's opening, showing three "children" creating paper models of the cast and various stage effect shapes, this was a brave attempt to exploit a different side of the Japanese culture.

Whilst the karate moves and judo type costuming worked well, the protagonist's interaction amongst the story, rather than aside promoting the fate of hero/villain as they saw fit, proved a little distracting, hindering pace sometimes.

However, there is much to enjoy: all the complex four-part harmony singing was excellent under the baton of David Childs, notably the Act 1 Finale and the Madrigal in Act 2. Joseph Hand fizzed as a cunningly impish Mikado, Phil Needle a sardonic Pooh-Bah, a vibrant chorus, deft fan work by the Little Maids, winsome Ben Walker's Ko-Ko succumbing to imperious Jenny Samuel's Katisha, all propelled vocally dexterous Barnaby Wilson and Amy Wardle to the inevitable happy denouement.

DAVID PUTLEY